HUNTSVILLE, AL. -- A man was seriously injured this afternoon when an industrial paper shredder he was working with exploded at a defense contractor's office in Cummings Research Park, Huntsville police Lt. Darryl Lawson said.

A portion of the shredder's motor exploded when the man, an employee of Chugach Management Services, turned it on just after 2 p.m., Dawson said. He was working at the offices of defense and space contractor ATK at 620 Discovery Drive.

The man was taken to Huntsville Hospital with a serious leg injury. Lawson said the injury was "significant" but did not appear to be life threatening.

Huntsville Police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the accident, Lawson said.

The man, who is in his 50s, was taken to Huntsville Hospital with serious injuries.